Eligibility and benefits

Preferred skills/abilities | Benefits | Summer expectations | Important dates

Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. university and available 40 hours per week from May 22-August 4, 2023 (tentative dates).

Applicants must also be authorized to work in the United States. For F visa students accepted by the program, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization issued through a U.S. Designated School Official (DSO) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) issued through both a DSO and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be required. International students at U.S. universities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduates completing their sophomore year or higher are eligible, as are seniors who are graduating in December 2023 if they are enrolling in graduate school.

Seniors graduating in May or June 2023 who are enrolling in graduate programs for Fall 2023 are eligible for graduate positions. Please mention this in your personal statement. (Seniors graduating in May or June 2023 who are NOT enrolling in graduate school are ineligible.)

Graduate students

Graduate students who are continuing in graduate programs for Fall 2023 are eligible. Undergraduate seniors graduating in May or June 2023 are eligible for graduate positions if they are enrolling in graduate programs for Fall 2023. Please mention this in your personal statement.

Vaccine requirements

As required by Executive Order 14042, all federal contractor employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. Effective immediately, UCAR requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated prior to entering on duty, subject to such exceptions as required by law.

If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by December 8, 2021, or before appointment or onboarding with UCAR, if after December 8, 2021. UCAR will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of UCAR a legally required exception from this requirement.

Preferred skills/abilities

  • Ability to work with a diverse group of peers
  • Skill in the use of software for communication purposes (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email)
  • Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Basic problem-solving skills
  • Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions
  • Potential to excel in a scientific career
  • Basic knowledge of mathematics, computer science or engineering - through coursework
  • Ability to work full-time (40 hours/week) during the summer program
  • Ability to interact with mentors & peers in a manner to support collaboration and inquiry
  • Ability and willingness to work within guidelines and policies of organization and assigned work groups

Benefits

Interns are paid a competitive hourly wage. Hourly rates for 2023 are $21.07 for undergraduates and $25.50 for graduate students.

Other benefits:

  • Housing with your own room and shared bathroom. (If changing to a virtual program becomes necessary, participants will receive a living stipend for their participation in lieu of housing.
  • Travel funding to and from Boulder from your home university.
  • Regional Transportation District (RTD) EcoPass for travel within the Boulder/Denver metro area.
  • Professional development workshops during the summer and opportunities for funding as an alum.
  • Networking opportunities with professionals and other interns.

Summer expectations

Participants are expected to attend technical seminars and skill-enhancing workshops.

Interns will also give an oral presentation of project results, create a scientific poster, and present their work at a poster session.

Important dates (tentative)

  • January 17, 2023 (extended from January 13): Application and Submit References' Contact Info deadline (11:59 p.m. MST)
  • January 25, 2023: Letters of recommendation due
  • Early February 2023: Intern selection begins. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
  • Mid- to late February 2023: Candidate interviews.
  • Late February to mid-March: Offers to selected candidates.
  • May 20-21, 2023: Move-in day for student housing.
  • May 22, 2023: SIParCS program begins.
  • May 29, 2023: Memorial Day Holiday, NCAR closed. Unpaid for interns.
  • June 19, 2023: Juneteenth Holiday Observed, NCAR closed. Unpaid for interns.
  • July 4, 2023: Independence Day Holiday, NCAR closed. Unpaid for interns.
  • August 1-3, 2023: Intern presentations and poster symposium.
  • August 5, 2023: SIParCS program ends, move-out day.